Three-dimensional puzzles

ABSTRACT

An educational device in the form of a three-dimensional puzzle comprises a plurality of interconnectable members. Each of the members is provided with a respective face adapted for opposing a respective face of another of said members. A resilient element is provided for interposition between respective opposing faces of the members and is operatively associated with the opposing faces for interconnecting the members therebetween.

United States Patent Adelsohn 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] THREE-DIMENSIONAL PUZZLES 2,885,822 /1959 Onanian ..46/3 l X 72 Inventor: Louis Adelsohn, 421 1 Sea Gate 3,205,61 l 9/1965 Onanian ..46/ 16 X Ave Brooklyn 1224 3,290,080 12/1966 Dawson ..24/2l6 X 3,295,097 12/1966 Van Horssen et al..339/252 R [22] Filed: July 31, 1970 [211 App] No 60 034 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Related us. Application Da 3 5 1 6 3/193 Great Britain 339/242 [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 690,322, Dec. Pn'mary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle 13, 1967, Pat. No. 3,523,384. Att0mey-Friedman & Goodman [52] US. Cl ..273/l57 R, 35/46 A, 46/17, [57] ABSTRACT 6 2 4 21 R 51 Int. Cl A6 3f 971 2 26 311 3.3/ educamnal dence the 0f a [58] Field of g i I1 56 157 46]]6 25 sional puzzle comprises a plurality of interconnectable 4 /22 26 31 17; 2 4/213 1% 214 21 members. Each Of the members is provided with a 339/242, 252 R; 35/18 A, 46 A respective face adapted for opposing a respective face of another of said members. A resilient element is pro- [56] References Cit d vided for interposition between respective opposing faces of the members and is operatively associated UNITED STATES PATENTS with the opposing faces for interconnecting the mem- 1,971,s 8/1934 Tompkins ..46/25 hers therebetween- 12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 5, 1912 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 3.

FIG.

LOUIS ADELSOHN INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 5,1912 3,689,075

. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LOUIS ADELSOHN FIG. l3.

Mm hi ATTORNEYS THREE-DIMENSIONAL PUZZLES CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending US. Pat. Application Ser. No. 690,322, filed on Dec. 13, 1967 now US. Pat. No. 3,523,384.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to educational devices, and more particularly relates to three-dimensional puzzles and the like to be manipulated by children in their educational development.

Many devices have been developed heretofore for enabling children to assemble and disassemble various elements in a prescribed fashion, but all have serious disadvantages with regard to the manner by which the elements are interconnected. Unless the elements can be interconnected quickly and easily, the child will lose interest in the puzzle. Similarly, if the elements, in an assembled condition, cannot remain assembled reliably, but rather are easily jarred apart under normal playing conditions as used by children, the child will become frustrated to the point where subsequent use of the puzzle is diminished, the benefits thereof thus being obviated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to a novel manner of interconnecting members of a puzzle. The puzzle members are provided with bores for receiving a resilient coupling member. The coupling member may be a separate element so as to be connectable to mutually engaging faces of the puzzle members, or alternatively the coupling. member may be fixedly connected to one member and adapted for seating in the bore of the opposing member. In either case, the resilient coupling laterally biases against the wall of the bore to interlock detachably therewith.

Generally speaking, therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide means for interconnecting members of a puzzle, and particularly members of a three-dimensional puzzle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a resilient coupling that includes opposite ends, each of which ends is adapted for seating in opposing bores in respective puzzle members.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a resilient coupling fixedly connected to one member and adapted for being seated in a bore provided in an opposing member.

A still further object is to provide a resilient coupling that deforms in the respective bore of each of the members, to resiliently interlock therewith.

A further object is to provide resilient couplings and respective bores with cooperating lateral projecting portions for mutually interlocking with one another laterally.

A still further object is to provide an inexpensive, easily manufactured, reliable coupling arrangement for quickly and easily assembling three-dimensional puzzles and building blocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objects and advantages in view as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a building block according to the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a frontal view of the resilien coupling member according to the invention;

FIG. 3 represents a frontal fragmentary view of a hollow building block;

FIG. 4 represents a frontal view, partly in section, of a series of interconnected building blocks according to the invention;

FIG. 5 represents a frontal view of an assembled puzzle in the form of a sphere according to the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 represent frontal fragmentary views of members of the spherical puzzle in separated and connected conditions respectively;

FIGS. 8 and 9 represent frontal fragmentary views of members of the spherical puzzle in separated and connected conditions respectively with the resilient coupling fixedly connected to one member;

FIGS. 10 and 11 represent frontal fragmentary views of another embodiment similar to FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 12 represents a planar, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of two puzzle members, each having two faces with a respective bore and coupling for engaging the opposing faces of the other; and

FIG. 13 represents a perspective view of a partially assembled hollow sphere.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 1 Referring now to the drawings, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the present invention includes a toy building block 1 provided with bores in each of its faces. The bores are each characterized by an inner bore 2 and an outer bore 3.

A resilient coupling 4, as illustrated in FIG. 2, includes coaxially arranged, elongate, opposite end portions 5 extending outwardly from an intermediary portion 6, which portions 5 and 6 are preferably of cylindrical cross-section. The opposite end portions 5 are transversely provided with annular ribs 7.

The resilient coupling 4 is preferably constituted of a rubber-like material so as to be universally flexible.

As shown in FIG. 3, the block 1 may be hollow and defined by a wall 8 which has inwardly extending portions of a configuration to suitably define inner bores 2 and associated outer bores 3 and transverse projections 9.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is the resilient coupling 4 with one opposite end portionS seated in the bores 2. Parrelative to the opposite end portions 5. In this respect axis A-A passes centrally and normally through the opposed annular faces 10 and is inclined relative to axis B-B passing centrally and normally through the crosssectional area of opposite end portions 5. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the opposed annular faces 10 are substantially normal to the portion seated in the bore 2. It is specifically this deformation of the portion 5 relative to the annular faces that effects a resilient squeezing tendency in the coupling 4 so as to be detachably connectable to the block 1. Similarly a further block 1 may be connected to the free portion 5 g of the coupling 4 in succession so as to interconnect a plurality of blocks 1 by means of the couplings 4 as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, however, the blocks are shown as being solid rather than hollow. It should also be noted that the projections 9 in bores 2 cooperatively seat laterally in the spaces between the annular ribs 7 of the coupling 4, and as a result of the squeezing tendency of the coupling 4 between the annular faces 10 and the seated end portion 5, the strength of the connection between the coupling 4 and the block 1 is increased.

It should be further pointed out that the outer bores 3 are longitudinally depressed so as to accommodate substantially one-half the longitudinal length of the intermediary portion 6. It is clear, therefore, that when two blocks 1 are interconnected, the opposing faces engage one another with the entire intermediary portions 6'being enveloped one-half in one block and the other half in the other block.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the present invention can also be used in the environment of three-dimensional puzzles, as for example to assemble and disassemble puzzle members of a sphere 11;

FIG. 6 illustrates two puzzle members 12 for a sphere similar to the sphere 11, each of which is provided with opposing bores 13 having projections 14. The two members 12 are connectable by means of the resilient coupling 4 in a manner as described above for the blocks 1, with projections 14 laterally interlocking the annular ribs 7 of the coupling 4. FIG. 7 simply discloses the members 12 in an assembled condition.

In FIG. 8, a further concept of the invention is illustrated. In this particular case a resilient plug 16 is fixedly connected to one of the opposing members 15. The plug 16 is provided with annular ribs 17 and is generally similar to the resilient coupling 4 described heretofore, there being no necessity for an intermediary portion as the end portion of the member is an effective substitute therefor as discussed below. The as sociated opposing member 15 is provided with a bore 18 adapted for receiving the plug 16. The bore 18 is provided with projections 19 adapted for laterally interlocking between the annular ribs 17.

It is clear, as shown in FIG. 8, that the plug 16 is longitudinally inclined relative to its associated member 15 and differs from the angle that the bore 18 projects inwardly of its associated member 15. When the opposing end portions of members 15 are brought into engagement with one another, as shown in FIG. 9, the plug 16 is seated in the bore 18 and is deformed laterally. This lateral deformation results in a cooperating squeezing condition of the plug 16 and its associated member 15 against the opposing bore 18 and its associated member 15 and thereby in the resilient interconnection of the members 15 with one another.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention which is generally similar to that of FIGS. 8 and 9. The difference between these embodiments is that of the location of the plug 16 and I bore 18 relative to the arcuate outer surface 20 and arcuate inner surface 21 of the puzzle members 15.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, both the plug 16 and bore 18 are each medially disposed between the outer surface 20 and inner surface 21. However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the plug 16 and bore 18 are each disposed with greater proximity to the inner surface 21 of the respective members 15. To accommodate this proximity, the members. 15 are provided with opposing end portions 22 of greater crosssectional area than the remaining portions thereof.

It is a further expedient to provide puzzle members with adjacent faces such as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. '12 illustrates a generally convex member 23 cooperable with a concave member 24. The convex member 23 is provided with adjacent faces 25 and 26, each provided respectively with a bore 18 and a plug 16. Similarly, the concave member 24 is provided with adjacent faces 27 and 28, each provided respectively with a plug 16 and a bore 18. It is clear that the respective bore and plug of the convex member may be detachably connected to the respective plug and bore of the concave member. It

is also clear that the angle of inclination between the bore 18 and face 25 of the convex member 23 is different from the angle of inclination between the plug 16 and face 27 of the concave member 24. Similarly, the angle of inclination between the plug 16 and face 26 of the convex member 23 is different from the angle of inclination between the plug 18 and the face 28 of the concave member 24. As a result of the difference in the angles of inclination there is a lateral deformation of the plugs 16 when seated in bores 18 so as to provide a resilient cantelever-like biasing of the plugs 16 against the wall of the bores 18.

What must be made clear at this point is that it is also expedient to incline each plug 16 relative to-its associated face in a first plane passing longitudinally through each plug 16 and perpendicularly relative to its associated face. Similarly, the bores 18 should be inclined in a second plane, askew of the first plane, which second plane passes longitudinally through each bore 18 and perpendicularly with respect to its associated face. I

This can be appreciated by examining FIGS. 8 and 12 for illustrative purposes only. FIG. 8 is a frontal view of two members of the spherical puzzle wherein the respective angles of inclination of the plug and bore differ from one another in a vertical plane. FIG. 12, however, illustrates a planar view of two members of the spherical puzzle wherein the respective angles of inclination of the plugs and bores differ from one another in a horizontal plane. Although the puzzle members of FIG. 12 are not necessarily the same as those of FIG. 8, it is clear that when the respective angles of inclination of the plugs and bores differ from one another in two planes, i.e., a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, the actual planes wherein the angles of inclination are defined in true perspective are askew to one another.

As a result of the askew relationship between the planes, the plugs are deformed in two directions such that the plugs are subjected to a bending moment and torsion, which combination of a bending moment and torsion enhances the resilient interlocking of the plugs in the bores.

FIG. 13 illustrates a partially assembled sphere 11 in the form of a hemisphere comprised of various arcuate shell-like members 29, 30, and 31. The exposed bores 18 and plugs 16 are clearly adapted for interconnecting further members (not shown) for completing the threedimensional spherical puzzle in a manner as described above.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only, and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An educational device comprising a plurality of interconnectable members each having a face adapted for opposing a respective face of another of said members to constitute respective pairs of opposing faces, resilient means interposable between opposing faces of each of said pairs of opposing faces for detachably interconnecting said members therebetween, each of said members being provided with a bore extending inwardly of each of said faces, said resilient means comprising a resilient elongate body including longitudinally extending opposite end portions and an intermediary portion of increased cross-sectional area, said intermediary portion having longitudinally opposed surfaces extending generally transversely of said body, each of said longitudinally extending opposite end portions being adapted for seating in opposing bores in each of said pairs of opposing faces of said members with said opposed surfaces of said resilient means each being disposed adjacent to a respective opposing face of said members, said longitudinally extending opposite end portions of said resilient means being coaxially aligned with one another, said opposed surfaces of said intermediary portion of said resilient means being inclined relative to said longitudinally extending opposite end portions and said opposing bores being normal to said respective opposing faces such that said longitudinally extending opposite end portions are resiliently deformed relative to said opposed surfaces of said intermediary portion when seated in said opposing bores in said members to an extent sufficient to cause said opposing faces to abut for resiliently interconnecting said members.

2. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending opposite end portions of said resilient means are each substantially cylindrical and include a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular ribs, and wherein said bores are substantially cylindrical and include a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections for interlocking between said spaced annular ribs of said resilient means.

3. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the maximum transverse cross-sectional area of said bores is greater than the maximum transverse cross-sectional area of said longitudinally extending opo ite end ortio so s id esilient ans. p An eeiucatibn evice as caimed in claim 1 wherein said bores include an uppermost portion of increased cross-sectional area for receiving a longitudinal portion of said intermediary portion of said resilient means.

5. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said members is hollow.

6. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said members when interconnected define an assembled hollow unit.

7. An educational device comprising a plurality of interconnectable members each having a face adapted for opposing a respective face of another of said members to constitute respective pairs of opposing faces, resilient means interposable between opposing faces of each of said pairs of opposing faces for detachably interconnecting said members therebetween, one face in each of said pairs of opposing faces being provided with a bore extending inwardly therefrom and the other face in each of said pairs of opposing faces including said resilient means fixedly connected thereto and extending outwardly therefrom, said resilient means being adapted for seating in the opposing bore of said one face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, said resilient means comprising an elongate cylindrical plug extending outwardly at a first angle relative to each said other face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, each of said bores extending inwardly at a second angle relative to each said one face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, said first angle and said second angle being unequal relative to one another, said first angle being determined in a first plane passing longitudinally through said plug perpendicularly with respect to said other face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, and said second angle being determined in a second plane passing longitudinally through said bore perpendicularly with respect to said one face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, each of said first plane being respectively askew relative to said said second plane.

8. An educational device as claimed in claim 7 wherein each plug and bore includes longitudinally spaced annular ribs and longitudinally spaced projections respectively for transversely interlocking with one another.

9. An educational device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said members are each arcuate and interconnectable to constitute an assembled hollow unit.

10. An educational device as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said arcuate members includes an inner and outer surface relative to the assembled hollow unit such that respectively cooperating bores and plugs are laterally interposed between the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow unit.

11. An educational device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plugs and bores are laterally interposed medially between the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow unit.

12. An educational device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plugs and bores are laterally interposed between the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow unit substantially with greater proximity to the inner surface. 

1. An educational device comprising a plurality of interconnectable members each having a face adapted for opposing a respective face of another of said members to constitute respective pairs of opposing faces, resilient means interposable between opposing faces of each of said pairs of opposing faces for detachably interconnecting said members therebetween, each of said members being provided with a bore extending inwardly of each of said faces, said resilient means comprising a resilient elongate body including longitudinally extending opposite end portions and an intermediary portion of increased cross-sectional area, said intermediary portion having longitudinally opposed surfaces extending generally transversely of said body, each of said longitudinally extending opposite end portions being adapted for seating in opposing bores in each of said pairs of opposing faces of said members with said opposed surfaces of said resilient means each being disposed adjacent to a respective opposing face of said members, said longitudinally extending opposite end portions of said resilient means being coaxially aligned with one another, said opposed surfaces of said intermediary portion of saId resilient means being inclined relative to said longitudinally extending opposite end portions and said opposing bores being normal to said respective opposing faces such that said longitudinally extending opposite end portions are resiliently deformed relative to said opposed surfaces of said intermediary portion when seated in said opposing bores in said members to an extent sufficient to cause said opposing faces to abut for resiliently interconnecting said members.
 2. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending opposite end portions of said resilient means are each substantially cylindrical and include a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular ribs, and wherein said bores are substantially cylindrical and include a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections for interlocking between said spaced annular ribs of said resilient means.
 3. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the maximum transverse cross-sectional area of said bores is greater than the maximum transverse cross-sectional area of said longitudinally extending opposite end portions of said resilient means.
 4. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bores include an uppermost portion of increased cross-sectional area for receiving a longitudinal portion of said intermediary portion of said resilient means.
 5. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said members is hollow.
 6. An educational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said members when interconnected define an assembled hollow unit.
 7. An educational device comprising a plurality of interconnectable members each having a face adapted for opposing a respective face of another of said members to constitute respective pairs of opposing faces, resilient means interposable between opposing faces of each of said pairs of opposing faces for detachably interconnecting said members therebetween, one face in each of said pairs of opposing faces being provided with a bore extending inwardly therefrom and the other face in each of said pairs of opposing faces including said resilient means fixedly connected thereto and extending outwardly therefrom, said resilient means being adapted for seating in the opposing bore of said one face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, said resilient means comprising an elongate cylindrical plug extending outwardly at a first angle relative to each said other face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, each of said bores extending inwardly at a second angle relative to each said one face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, said first angle and said second angle being unequal relative to one another, said first angle being determined in a first plane passing longitudinally through said plug perpendicularly with respect to said other face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, and said second angle being determined in a second plane passing longitudinally through said bore perpendicularly with respect to said one face in each of said pairs of opposing faces, each of said first plane being respectively askew relative to said said second plane.
 8. An educational device as claimed in claim 7 wherein each plug and bore includes longitudinally spaced annular ribs and longitudinally spaced projections respectively for transversely interlocking with one another.
 9. An educational device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said members are each arcuate and interconnectable to constitute an assembled hollow unit.
 10. An educational device as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said arcuate members includes an inner and outer surface relative to the assembled hollow unit such that respectively cooperating bores and plugs are laterally interposed between the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow unit.
 11. An educational device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plugs and bores are laterally interposed medially between the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow unit.
 12. An educational device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plugs and bores are laterally interposed between the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow unit substantially with greater proximity to the inner surface. 